Tuesday, May 27, 2014

May 2014 Daring Bakers' Challenge: Pao De Queijo

Please don't ask me how to pronounce this month's challenge. My high school German is rusty at best ... and my Spanish is practically non-existent, aside from asking where the bathroom is located, asking how to get to the beach, and ordering beer.

I'd never heard of this food and thought it would be an interesting challenge. Come to find out, the real challenge was getting my hands on the required tapioca starch. I looked high and low locally, but wound up having to order it from Amazon.

The dough came together really easily. (Easy project = good!!) We served them alongside some BBQ'd steaks and asparagus. We found the pao de queijo to be less flavorful that we expected. I think using a stronger cheese (Parmesan, perhaps?) instead of the called-for Jack would have gone a long way. Annika LOVED them and asked if we can have them every day. Conor didn't like them at all. Eric and I gave them a so-so review. Nothing bad, just nothing exceptional about them. I do, however, give them a thumbs up for ease. :)

Ready for the oven

Baking,baking,baking

All done

First bite ... they're really HOT

Crunchy outside, chewy inside...just like they're supposed to have!

This month's Daring Bakers' Challenge took us on a trip to beautiful Brazil! Renata of "Testado, Provado & Aprovado!" taught us how to make Pao De Queijo, tasty cheese buns that make the perfect snack or treat, and that will make your taste buds samba!